Fellowship Training Programme
Faculty of Clinical Chemistry
Overview
The Faculty of Clinical Chemistry covers the analysis of body fluids for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It encompasses three major specialties — Clinical Chemistry, Molecular Diagnostics and Translational Science, and Immunology — each with distinct sub-specialties that address the full spectrum of biochemical, molecular, and immunological laboratory practice.
Clinical Chemistry
Clinical Chemistry is the cornerstone of laboratory medicine, concerned with the analysis of blood, urine, and other body fluids to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease. Trainees develop expertise in analytical instrumentation, quality assurance, and the biochemical basis of metabolic disorders.
Scope of Training
Metabolic profiling, organ function testing, therapeutic drug monitoring, point-of-care testing, and laboratory quality management.
Enzymology
Study of enzyme kinetics, isoenzyme analysis, and the diagnostic application of enzyme assays in detecting tissue damage and organ dysfunction.
Core Competencies
- Enzyme kinetics and inhibition studies
- Isoenzyme separation and quantification
- Clinical interpretation of enzyme panels (cardiac, hepatic, pancreatic)
- Method validation for enzyme assays
Endocrinology
Laboratory assessment of hormonal function across the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, thyroid, gonadal, and metabolic axes. Fellows master immunoassay platforms and dynamic function testing.
Core Competencies
- Hormone immunoassay design and interpretation
- Dynamic stimulation and suppression testing
- Diabetes and metabolic syndrome biomarkers
- Reproductive endocrinology testing
Toxicology
Detection and quantification of drugs, poisons, heavy metals, and environmental contaminants in biological specimens. Critical to forensic, clinical, and occupational health settings.
Core Competencies
- Drug screening and confirmation methodologies
- Heavy metal and trace element analysis
- Therapeutic drug monitoring protocols
- Forensic specimen chain-of-custody
General Biochemistry
Broad-based biochemical analysis covering electrolytes, blood gases, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and renal and liver function — the foundational skillset for all clinical chemistry practice.
Core Competencies
- Electrolyte and acid-base analysis
- Lipid profiling and cardiovascular risk markers
- Renal and liver function panel interpretation
- Protein electrophoresis and CSF analysis
Molecular Diagnostics and Translational Science
This specialty bridges laboratory science and clinical application through molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. Trainees learn to apply cutting-edge molecular techniques to disease diagnosis, pharmacogenomics, and personalised medicine — positioning them at the frontier of diagnostic innovation.
Scope of Training
Nucleic acid testing, next-generation sequencing, biomarker validation, genomic data analysis, and translational research from bench to bedside.
Biomarker Discovery
Identification and validation of novel molecular biomarkers for disease detection, prognosis, and treatment response monitoring across oncology, infectious disease, and metabolic conditions.
Core Competencies
- High-throughput screening methodologies
- Biomarker validation study design
- Multi-omics data integration
- Regulatory pathways for biomarker approval
Genomic and Precision Medicine
Application of genomic sequencing and pharmacogenomics to tailor diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to individual patients, advancing the promise of personalised healthcare in West Africa.
Core Competencies
- Next-generation sequencing platforms
- Variant calling and clinical interpretation
- Pharmacogenomic testing and reporting
- Genetic counselling laboratory support
Proteomics and Metabolomics
Large-scale analysis of protein and metabolite profiles in biological samples, enabling systems-level understanding of disease mechanisms and identification of therapeutic targets.
Core Competencies
- Mass spectrometry-based proteomics
- Metabolomic profiling and pathway analysis
- 2D gel electrophoresis and Western blotting
- Data analysis pipelines for omics datasets
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Computational analysis of biological data generated by genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic platforms. This sub-specialty trains fellows in the data science skills essential to modern laboratory medicine.
Core Competencies
- Biological database management and querying
- Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis
- Statistical modelling for clinical datasets
- Pipeline development for NGS data processing
Immunology
The Immunology specialty focuses on the laboratory investigation of the immune system in health and disease. Trainees gain expertise in immunodiagnostic techniques, autoimmune disease profiling, immunodeficiency assessment, and the laboratory support of vaccination programmes and organ transplantation.
Scope of Training
Serological testing, flow cytometry, autoimmune disease panels, allergy diagnostics, transplant immunology monitoring, and vaccine immunogenicity evaluation.
Infection and Immunity
Laboratory investigation of host immune responses to bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. Fellows develop expertise in serological diagnosis, immune status assessment, and infection biomarker interpretation.
Core Competencies
- Serological assay development and interpretation
- Immune status profiling (CD4/CD8, viral loads)
- Sepsis biomarker panels
- Antimicrobial resistance immunoassays
Experimental Immunology
Research-oriented training in cellular and molecular immunology techniques, equipping fellows to contribute to immunological research and diagnostic assay development.
Core Competencies
- Flow cytometry and cell sorting
- ELISPOT and cytokine profiling
- Cell culture and lymphocyte proliferation assays
- Monoclonal antibody production techniques
Vaccinology
Laboratory support for vaccine development, quality control, and post-vaccination immune response monitoring — a discipline of critical importance to public health across the ECOWAS region.
Core Competencies
- Vaccine immunogenicity testing
- Neutralising antibody assays
- Cold chain quality monitoring
- Adverse event laboratory investigation
Transplantation Immunology
Immunological testing for organ and tissue transplantation, including HLA typing, crossmatching, donor-recipient compatibility, and post-transplant immune monitoring.
Core Competencies
- HLA typing by molecular methods
- Crossmatch and panel reactive antibody testing
- Donor-specific antibody monitoring
- Post-transplant immune surveillance protocols
Training Structure
The WAPCMLS Fellowship Training Programme is structured into three progressive stages spanning five (5) years.
Primary Examination
A qualifying assessment serving as the prerequisite for entry into Part I (Junior Residency).
Part I — Junior Residency Programme
A two-year structured training programme at an accredited training centre, covering the core specialty areas of the faculty.
Membership Certification (MWAPCMLS)
Upon successful completion of Part I, candidates are awarded the Membership of the College, which qualifies them for entry into Part II (Senior Residency). Members may also enter practice and return later to continue.
Part II — Senior Residency Programme
A three-year advanced training in a chosen sub-specialty, including research, dissertation work, and advanced written and practical examinations.
Fellowship Certification (FWAPCMLS)
Upon passing the Part II examinations and successful dissertation defence, candidates are awarded the Fellowship of the College and invested at the annual ceremony.
Entry Requirements
GENERAL REQUIREMENT
- BMLS, B.Sc, AIMLS, or MLSD qualification
- Fully registered and licensed Medical Laboratory Scientist
Minimum post qualification experience
- BMLS/BSc MLS holders: 4 years
- MLSD holders: 2 years
- Applicants with accredited M.Sc. qualifications may obtain exemption from the Primary Fellowship examination.
- Enrollment in a College accredited institution or hospital is required for Part I and Part II Fellowship training.
Curriculum
Curriculum details will be published here.
Faculty Members
Prof. Maj(Rtd) George Awuku Asare, PhD, FWAPCMLS
Faculty Chairman
Prof. (Major Rtd) George Awuku Asare is an academic, medical laboratory scientist, and military veteran who serves as an Associate Professor of Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Ghana School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences (SBAHS). He balances his roles in public higher education with leadership in the private tertiary sector, serving as the Chairman of the Governing Council for Klintaps University College of Health and Allied Sciences (KCoHAS).
Dr Lamin Keita MA,Ph.D, FWAPCMLS
Faculty Secretery
Dr. Manodai Lamin Keita serves as Secretary of the Faculty of Clinical Chemistry. He supports faculty administration, academic coordination, and communication activities within the College while contributing to professional laboratory science practice and training
Dr Ufuoma Ohwo, PhD, FWAPCMLS
Training Cordinator
Dr. Ufuoma Ohwo is an African Medical Laboratory Scientist, educator, and researcher with extensive industry and academic experience. She is a Senior Lecturer at Novena University in Delta State, Nigeria. Her scientific research primarily focuses on endocrinology, enzymology, clinical chemistry, and immunochemistry.